The Summer Slaughter Tour is an annual heavy metal music tour held every year since 2007. It originated in North America in 2007 and has toured in Canada in 2008, Europe in 2008, and Australia and New Zealand in 2009. Billed as "The Most Extreme Tour of the Year", Summer Slaughter has earned a reputation as being one of the few summer tours to cater exclusively to fans of extreme forms of metal music. Starting in 2012, Summer Slaughter began to add more progressive metal bands to their lineups, seeing

Between the Buried and Me Between the Buried and Me, often abbreviated as BTBAM, is an American progressive metal band from Raleigh, North Carolina. Formed in 2000, the band consists of Tommy Giles Rogers Jr. (lead vocals, keyboards), Paul Waggoner (lead guitar, backi ...

co-headline with

Cannibal Corpse Cannibal Corpse is an American death metal band formed in Buffalo, New York in 1988, now based out of Tampa, Florida. The band has released fifteen studio albums, two box sets, four video albums, and two live albums. The band has had little rad ...

Periphery Periphery or peripheral may refer to: Music *Periphery (band), American progressive metal band * ''Periphery'' (album), released in 2010 by Periphery * "Periphery", a song from Fiona Apple's album '' The Idler Wheel...'' Gaming and entertainm ...

also played Summer Slaughter 2012, and came back during Summer Slaughter 2013, along with progressive metal bands

Animals as Leaders Animals as Leaders is an American instrumental progressive metal band from Washington, D.C. It currently consists of guitarists Tosin Abasi and Javier Reyes and drummer Matt Garstka, having been formed by Abasi in 2007. They are a prominent ...

and The Ocean. The focus on progressive metal that year was controversial and many people were "into" heavy metal music, and death metal focused lineups returned in 2014, seeing

Morbid Angel Morbid Angel is an American death metal band based in Tampa, Florida, formed in 1983 by guitarist, primary composer and sole remaining original member Trey Azagthoth, vocalist and bassist Dallas Ward, and drummer Mike Browning. Widely considered ...

headline.

2007

Headliner: * Necrophagist Supporting bands: * Decapitated * Cephalic Carnage * Cattle Decapitation *

The Faceless The Faceless are an American technical death metal band from the Encino neighborhood of Los Angeles. They released their debut album, ''Akeldama'', in November 2006, and a follow-up, ''Planetary Duality'', in November 2008. The band's third a ...

As Blood Runs Black As Blood Runs Black is an American metalcore/deathcore band from Los Angeles, California. They have released three albums. Their first album, ''Allegiance'', was released on June 6, 2006. Their second album, ''Instinct'', was released on March 15 ...

* Arsis * Ion Dissonance * Beneath the Massacre * Daath (June 3–10) Tour dates

2008

Headliner: * The Black Dahlia Murder Supporting bands: *

Kataklysm Kataklysm is a Canadian death metal band. They have released fourteen studio albums, one EP and two DVDs as of 2020. Kataklysm won their first Juno Award (Canadian equivalent of the Grammy) for best album of the year in the "heavy metal" categor ...

* Vader *

Cryptopsy Cryptopsy is a Canadian technical death metal band from Montreal, formed in 1988. History Necrosis (1988–1992) Necrosis was formed in April 1988 by drummer Mike Atkin, guitarist Steve Thibault and vocalist Dan "Lord Worm" Greening, initially ...

* Despised Icon *

Aborted Aborted is a Belgian death metal band formed in 1995 in Waregem. The group currently consists of vocalist, founder and only constant member Sven de Caluwé, guitarist Ian Jekelis, bassist Stefano Franceschini and drummer Ken Bedene. Although t ...

Born of Osiris Born of Osiris is an American progressive metalcore band formed in 2003 in Palatine, Illinois, a suburb of Chicago. The band currently consists of lead vocalist Ronnie Canizaro, lead guitarist Lee McKinney, rhythm guitarist/bassist Nick Rossi ...

* Psycroptic *

Whitechapel Whitechapel is a district in East London and the future administrative centre of the London Borough of Tower Hamlets. It is a part of the East End of London, east of Charing Cross. Part of the historic county of Middlesex, the area formed a c ...

Tour dates:

2008 (Canada)

Headliner: * Necrophagist Support bands: * Brutal Truth (Toronto only) * Dying Fetus * Beneath The Massacre * Into Eternity * Neuraxis *

Veil of Maya Veil of Maya is an American metalcore band, formed in Chicago, Illinois, by members Marc Okubo and Sam Applebaum in 2004. They are currently signed to Sumerian Records and have released six studio albums. Their first four albums are considered t ...

*Divinity *Common Grave Tour dates

2008 (Europe)

Headliner: * Suicide Silence Supporting bands: *

* Abigail Williams *

* Annotations of an Autopsy * The Berzerker Tour dates

2009 (Australia/New Zealand)

Headliner: * Necrophagist Supporting bands: * Dying Fetus *

* The Red Shore (withdrew) *

* Dawn of Azazel (New Zealand only) *

Ulcerate Ulcerate is a New Zealand-based extreme metal band formed by guitarist Michael Hoggard and drummer Jamie Saint Merat in 2000. The band have released six studio albums to date. The band have been featured in numerous articles as one of New Zeal ...

(New Zealand only) Tour dates

2009

Headliners: * Necrophagist *

Suffocation Asphyxia or asphyxiation is a condition of deficient supply of oxygen to the body which arises from abnormal breathing. Asphyxia causes generalized hypoxia, which affects primarily the tissues and organs. There are many circumstances that can ...

(until 7/3 but also played 7/19) * Behemoth (replaced Suffocation on 5, 6 and 7 July) Supporting bands: * Darkest Hour * Winds of Plague * Dying Fetus (until 7/14) *

Origin Origin(s) or The Origin may refer to: Arts, entertainment, and media Comics and manga * ''Origin'' (comics), a Wolverine comic book mini-series published by Marvel Comics in 2002 * ''The Origin'' (Buffy comic), a 1999 ''Buffy the Vampire Sl ...

After the Burial After the Burial is an American progressive metal band from Minneapolis, Minnesota. They are currently signed to Sumerian Records and have released five of their six full-length albums through the label. Since their inception in 2004, the band h ...

* Beneath the Massacre *

Blackguard Blackguard is an old-fashioned term for a scoundrel. Blackguard or Black Guard(s) may refer to: * Black Guard, a corps of Black African soldiers in Morocco * Black Guard (Brazil), a militia of former slaves intended to protect the monarchy * Blac ...

Decrepit Birth Decrepit Birth is an American death metal band from Santa Cruz, California. They have released two studio albums through Unique Leader Records and two through Nuclear Blast, and a demo independently. All of their studio albums feature artwor ...

(second half of tour only June 28 – July 20) * Ensiferum (second half of tour only June 28 – July 20) Tour dates:

2010

Headliner: * Decapitated Supporting bands: *

* All Shall Perish *

The Red Chord The Red Chord is an American metal band from Revere, Massachusetts, formed in 1999. The group comprises vocalist Guy Kozowyk, guitarist/vocalist Mike "Gunface" McKenzie, bassist Greg Weeks and drummer Jon Rice. The band gained a fanbase with its ...

* Cephalic Carnage * Carnifex *

Animals As Leaders Animals as Leaders is an American instrumental progressive metal band from Washington, D.C. It currently consists of guitarists Tosin Abasi and Javier Reyes and drummer Matt Garstka, having been formed by Abasi in 2007. They are a prominent ...

* Vital Remains Tour dates:

2010 (Mexico)

Headliners * Job for a Cowboy Support bands * Winds of Plague *

The Acacia Strain The Acacia Strain is an American metalcore band originally from Chicopee, Massachusetts. They are currently signed to Rise Records. The band has released ten full-length albums. History Forming in 2001, The Acacia Strain was started by ...

Tour dates

2011

Headliners: * The Black Dahlia Murder *

Supporting bands: * Darkest Hour * Six Feet Under * Dying Fetus *

(Texas dates only) *

* Oceano * Fleshgod Apocalypse *

Powerglove The Power Glove is a controller accessory for the Nintendo Entertainment System. The Power Glove gained public attention due to its early virtual reality mechanics and significant marketing. However, its two games did not sell well, as it was ...

Within the Ruins Within the Ruins is an American metalcore band formed in Westfield, Massachusetts in 2003. The group currently consists of guitarist Joe Cocchi, drummer Kevin McGuill, bassist Paolo Galang, and vocalist Steve Tinnon. They are currently signed to ...

Tour dates:

2012

Headliners: *

Supporting bands: *

* Job for a Cowboy *

Goatwhore Goatwhore is an American extreme metal band formed in New Orleans, Louisiana in 1997. Biography Goatwhore was formed by guitarist/backing vocalist Sammy Duet, who was previously the lead guitarist for Louisiana sludge metal band Acid Bath. Th ...

* Exhumed *

Cerebral Bore Cerebral Bore was a Scottish brutal death metal band from Glasgow, formed in 2006. The band comprises guitarist Paul McGuire, drummer Allan "McDibet" MacDonald and bassist Federico Benini. Cerebral Bore released a debut album, '' Maniacal Mis ...

Tour dates

2013

Headliner: *

The Dillinger Escape Plan The Dillinger Escape Plan was an American metalcore band. The band was formed in 1997 in Morris Plains, New Jersey by guitarist Ben Weinman, bassist Adam Doll, vocalist Dimitri Minakakis, and drummer Chris Pennie. The band's use of odd time sign ...

Supporting bands: *

* Norma Jean * Cattle Decapitation * The Ocean * Revocation *

Aeon The word aeon , also spelled eon (in American and Australian English), originally meant "life", "vital force" or "being", "generation" or "a period of time", though it tended to be translated as "age" in the sense of "ages", "forever", "timel ...

* Rings of Saturn * Thy Art Is Murder Tour dates:

2014

Headliner: *

Supporting bands: * Dying Fetus *

* Thy Art Is Murder *

Within The Ruins Within the Ruins is an American metalcore band formed in Westfield, Massachusetts in 2003. The group currently consists of guitarist Joe Cocchi, drummer Kevin McGuill, bassist Paolo Galang, and vocalist Steve Tinnon. They are currently signed to ...

Fallujah Fallujah ( ar, ٱلْفَلُّوجَة, al-Fallūjah, Iraqi pronunciation: ) is a city in the Iraqi province of Al Anbar, located roughly west of Baghdad on the Euphrates. Fallujah dates from Babylonian times and was host to important J ...

*Boreworm Tour dates:

2014 (Canada)

Headliner: *

Supporting bands: * Rings of Saturn *Archspire *

*Fatality (8/14-8/20) *Black Crown Initiate Tour dates:

2015

Headliner: *

Arch Enemy Arch Enemy is a Swedish melodic death metal band, originally a supergroup from Halmstad, formed in 1995. Its members were in bands such as Carcass, Armageddon, Carnage, Mercyful Fate, Spiritual Beggars, The Agonist, Nevermore, and Eucha ...

Supporting bands: *

* Cattle Decapitation * Beyond Creation Obscura and

were originally scheduled to appear on the tour. Obscura dropped off due to visa issues and After the Burial dropped off due to the death of their guitarist Justin Lowe. Tour dates:

2016

Headliner: *

Supporting bands: *

Nile The Nile, , Bohairic , lg, Kiira , Nobiin language, Nobiin: Áman Dawū is a major north-flowing river in northeastern Africa. It flows into the Mediterranean Sea. The Nile is the longest river in Africa and has historically been considered ...

* Carnifex * Revocation * Krisiun * Slaughter to Prevail *

Ingested Ingestion is the consumption of a substance by an organism. In animals, it normally is accomplished by taking in a substance through the mouth into the gastrointestinal tract, such as through eating or drinking. In single-celled organisms ingesti ...

Enterprise Earth Enterprise Earth is an American deathcore band from Spokane, Washington. Former members, vocalist Dan Watson (formerly of Infant Annihilator) and guitarist BJ Sampson (formerly of Takeover), formed the band in mid-2014. At the beginning of the ...

2017

Headliners: * The Black Dahlia Murder * Dying Fetus Supporting bands: *

* Oceano *

* Rings of Saturn * Betraying the Martyrs * Lorna Shore * AngelMaker The Black Dahlia Murder will play their 2007 album ''

Nocturnal Nocturnality is an ethology, animal behavior characterized by being active during the night and sleeping during the day. The common adjective is "nocturnal", versus diurnality, diurnal meaning the opposite. Nocturnal creatures generally have ...

'' in its entirety for their 10th anniversary. AngelMaker was voted in by fans during the Summer Slaughter Poll. Slaughter to Prevail were initially announced on the bill, but their travel plans were delayed and they could not make the tour.

2018

Headliner: *

Supporting bands: *

Erra Erra can refer to: * Erra (god), a Babylonian god * Erra, Estonia, a settlement in Sonda Parish, Ida-Viru County, Estonia * Erra, the purported home planet of the pleiadean aliens described by ufologist Billy Meier Eduard Albert Meier, commonl ...

* The Agony Scene * Allegaeon *

Terror Universal Terror Universal is an American heavy metal supergroup consisting of current and former members of Soulfly, Upon a Burning Body and Ill Nino. Their first single, "Welcome to Hell", comes from their debut EP, ''Reign of Terror''. The EP was relea ...

* Soreption * Entheos Soreption only played a few tour dates and then dropped off due to unforeseen circumstances.

2019

Co-Headliners * Cattle Decapitation * Carnifex *

Support bands: * Rivers of Nihil * Nekrogoblikon * Lorna Shore *

Brand of Sacrifice Brand of Sacrifice is a Canadian deathcore band from Toronto formed in 2018. The band was inspired by the work of manga artist Kentaro Miura, specifically his '' Berserk'' series and has based much of their music on his works. Founded in 2018, th ...

The Slaughter Survivors Tour 2011 (North America)

Headliner: * Conducting From The Grave Support bands: * The Contortionist *

Scale the Summit Scale the Summit is an American instrumental progressive metal band based out of Houston, Texas. It formed in 2004 and signed to Prosthetic Records. The band is influenced by other progressive acts such as Cynic and Dream Theater. The band gaine ...

* Rings of Saturn * Volumes *Structures Tour dates

The Slaughter Survivors Tour 2012 (North America)

Headliner: *

Pathology Pathology is the study of the causes and effects of disease or injury. The word ''pathology'' also refers to the study of disease in general, incorporating a wide range of biology research fields and medical practices. However, when used in ...

Support bands: * Enfold Darkness *

Fit for an Autopsy Fit for an Autopsy is an American deathcore band from Jersey City, New Jersey, formed in 2008. The band consists of guitarists Pat Sheridan, Will Putney and Tim Howley, drummer Josean Orta, vocalist Joe Badolato, and bassist Peter "Blue" Spina ...

* Aegaeon Tour dates

Fan-voted openers

In 2011, the Summer Slaughter Tour offered their fans the opportunity to vote on who would open the tour. The choices for 2011 were Dawn of Ashes, Revocation, Neuraxis, Conducting From The Grave, The Contortionist,

, Volumes,

Augury Augury is the practice from ancient Roman religion of interpreting omens from the observed behavior of birds. When the individual, known as the augur, interpreted these signs, it is referred to as "taking the auspices". "Auspices" (Latin ''ausp ...

7 Horns 7 Eyes 7 Horns 7 Eyes is an American Christian death metal band based out of Seattle, Washington. The band formed in 2006 and released their debut album ''Throes of Absolution'' on April 24, 2012, on Century Media Records in North America and Basick ...

, Rings of Saturn, and Struc/tures.

ultimately received the most votes and thus won the opening spot for the tour. That same year Conducting From The Grave, The Contortionist, Rings of Saturn, Volumes, and Struc/tures all toured together on what was billed as the Slaughter Survivors Tour. This tour also included

, who had not been part of the voting. For the 2012 edition of the Summer Slaughter Tour, fans were once again given the chance to vote on the opening act. The choices for 2012 were Aegaeon, Battlecross,

, Enfold Darkness,

, Hour of Penance, I Declare War,

, and Vildhjarta. The opening slot for the 2012 tour went to Cerebral Bore, and Pathology, Enfold Darkness, Fallujah, Fit for an Autopsy, and Aegaeon also joined the 2012 Slaughter Survivors Tour. The choices for the 2013 tour were Abiotic,

As They Burn As, AS, A. S., A/S or similar may refer to: Art, entertainment, and media * A. S. Byatt (born 1936), English critic, novelist, poet and short story writer * "As" (song), by Stevie Wonder * , a Spanish sports newspaper * , an academic male voice ...

Dark Sermon Dark Sermon was an American blackened death metal band from Tampa, Florida signed to EOne Music in North America and Nuclear Blast Records in Europe. The band was formed in 2009 under the name "In Reference to a Sinking Ship" and later chang ...

, Fit for an Autopsy,

Howl Howl most often refers to: *Howling, an animal vocalization in many canine species *Howl (poem), a 1956 poem by Allen Ginsberg Howl may also refer to: Film * ''The Howl'', a 1970 Italian film * ''Howl'' (2010 film), a 2010 American arthouse b ...

, Intervals, Into the Flood, King Conquer,

Last Chance To Reason Last Chance to Reason is an American progressive metal band from Augusta, Maine. Their debut album, '' Lvl. 1'', was released through Tribunal Records in 2007. Their first major label debut, '' Level 2'', came in 2011 through Prosthetic Reco ...

My Bitter End My or MY may refer to: Arts and entertainment * My (radio station), a Malaysian radio station * Little My, a fictional character in the Moomins universe * ''My'' (album), by Edyta Górniak * ''My'' (EP), by Cho Mi-yeon Business * Market ...

, Nekrogoblikon, Rings of Saturn, Syqem, Soreption, Today I Caught the Plague, and Thy Art Is Murder. Thy Art Is Murder was the chosen band. However, since they were nearly tied with Rings of Saturn by a few votes, the organizers decided to put both Rings of Saturn and Thy Art Is Murder on the bill. Vektor were put on the initial ballot by their record label without the band's knowledge or approval, and upon discovering this, had to withdraw due to incompatible scheduling. The Slaughter Survivors Tour did not occur in 2013, and did not return in 2014 either. Summer Slaughter 2014 didn't see the tour offer an opportunity to vote on openers; rather, the opener was chosen by Headbang for the Highway showcase, and Boreworm was selected.

Mayhem Festival The Mayhem Festival was a touring heavy metal festival that took place during the summer. The inaugural season took place in 2008; the festival later became an annual event across the United States. Most years also included a single date in eit ...

also uses the Headbang for the Highway showcase to select bands.

Most appearances at The Summer Slaughter Tour

(11) * Dying Fetus (6) *

(6) *

(4) * Cattle Decapitation (4) * Necrophagist (4) * Rings of Saturn (4) * Beneath the Massacre (3) * The Black Dahlia Murder (3) * Carnifex (3) *

(3) *

(3)

References

External links

*
Official MySpace2007 & 2008 Tour Live FootageNews articleNews articleNews article2008 lineup2010 lineup news
{{DEFAULTSORT:Summer Slaughter Tour, The Concert tours Heavy metal festivals Music festivals established in 2007